There’s a new look to the Trucchi’s Supermarkets store at 543 County St.

“It wasn’t terrible, but it needed a lift,” said James Trucchi, president of the six-store Raynham-based supermarket chain.

It’s been just more than a year since Trucchi and his family opened a new store on West Grove Street in Middleboro. The County Street store, which opened in 1974, has been transformed to closely resemble the more contemporary style of the latest addition.

Cosmetic changes are more subtle than overwhelming. Trucchi said he replaced floors with a combination of Decoria-brand flooring, vinyl composition tile and faux wood. He says he was inspired a few years back during a visit to a another company’s store in Connecticut.

“I liked its European flair,” which is why he said he incorporated it into the Middleboro store.

Trucchi, 60, says the design phase began in January with his longtime architectural advisor, Chuck Bomley of Plan B Design in Connecticut. Construction started in late May. At no time did the store close during interior construction, he said.

The biggest change has been relocating all perishables from the rear of the store to the front and side area where customers enter and browse. The deli department, although toward the rear, is visible as soon as one walks in and is only a short stroll from where vegetables, fruits, hot soups and other fresh-made meals are displayed.

There’s also a self-serve coffee bar where customers leave 50 cents per cup.

“We use the honor system,” Trucchi said.

The ceilings above the side of the store has been opened up and elevated contributing to what Trucchi calls “more of a market feel.”

Trucchi declined to reveal how much he’s invested to improve the County Street store, but he suggested it was well beyond $1 million.

“Considering that a new store costs $15 million to $20 million, then $3 million to $4 million for renovations is nothing.”

Chris Flynn, president of Massachusetts Food Association, whose members include independent and national chain supermarkets, said Trucchi’s has shown through the years that it’s capable of adjusting to shopping trends.

“They’ve been savvy at catering to their customers,” Flynn said.

He said Trucchi’s Supermarkets is among a small group of small independent supermarkets in the state, including Donelon’s and Crosby’s Marketplace, that have successfully competed against the big boys like Stop & Shop, Shaw’s and Walmart.

“I think it’s fantastic. It’s been a long time coming,” said Lana Thomas of Berkley.

Thomas said the new Trucchi’s on County Street reminds her of Whole Foods and Roche Brothers, two popular niche brands.

Page 2 of 2 - The store now features a self-serve cafe where shoppers or people on lunch break can sit, eat and relax after buying soups, sandwiches or chicken wings.

There’s also a popcorn counter that sells the store’s original Magic Pop, a healthy snack made of brown rice, wheat and corn.

There’s also a Trucchi’s store on Tremont Street, which is the site where, in 1928, William Trucchi Sr. opened Hometown Stores, which eventually came to be called Trucchi’s

James Trucchi says the Taunton region is “way, way over-saturated” in terms of supermarket stores and brands.

He said he can’t get over the fact that Walmart is opening a second 24-hour “supercenter” in Raynham

“It’s got to be the only town in the country with two,” he said.

Trucchi said he knows he can’t always match Walmart prices. “But we match them when we can,” he said.

He said Walmart can’t hold a candle to Trucchi’s when it comes to the meat department. Trucchi’s said he’s proud of his team of experienced butchers — some he said have been with him for more than 30 years — and the fact that fresh hamburger is ground every four hours.

“There’s no pre-packed stuff,” he said.

Trucchi also said he wasn’t surprised about the recent announcement by they parent company of Shaw’s that the Shaw’s on Winthrop Street, which has had to compete with Hannaford across the street, is one of six stores in the region slated to close.

“I can tell when I walk into a store that’s not doing well. I can feel it when I walk in,” he said.

But Trucchi’s “biggest concern” has been the possibility of a resort-style gambling casino coming to East Taunton. He said it would create traffic problems that would affect his customers.

And although it’s uncertain that the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian tribe will get to build their project, Trucchi said he isn’t waiting until the last minute.

He’s in the process of hiring a company to conduct a traffic study and said it’s not unreasonable that he would pay for a traffic light in front of the County Street store. It’s difficult enough now, Trucchi said, for customers to safely take a left-hand turn out of the parking lot.

The redesigned store also includes murals of historic photos, some of which came from the Old Colony Historical Society, depicting downtown Taunton from the 1930s through the 1970s. It also includes the family’s patriarch in his Tremont store around 1030.

Trucchi also credits his brothers Roy and Bill and sister Kim for contributing ideas for improving the store. He also said the next store that might be renovated would probably be the one in New Bedford.